Stockholm to Copenhagen by Train: Why we went via Malmö and how it worked
We recently did a longer train journey through Europe, starting in Scandinavia and continuing toward Central Europe. I’ll write more about the full route soon, but one of the legs I researched the most was Stockholm to Copenhagen by train.
When I looked it up, I found plenty of general summaries with train times and operators, but the more I searched, the more I realized that these summaries don’t actually give me key info like which route actually made the most sense, whether stopping by Malmö was worth doing, and what it meant when a train said it went “direct” to Copenhagen.
So here is my practical guide on this train route to help you understand the routes available and give firsthand experience on the route we ended up taking so you can see if it matches your vibe.
The Quick Answer
The route we took:
Stockholm Central → Malmö Central by SJ
Malmö Central → Copenhagen Central by Øresundståg
Would I do it again? Yes. It was fast, comfortable, and the Malmö stop made the travel day more fun without adding much hassle.
Best for: Travelers who want the practical route from Stockholm to Copenhagen, especially if you like the idea of a short Malmö stopover.
The Two Main Options I Considered
This is not meant to be a full firsthand comparison, since we only took the SJ + Øresundståg route. But these were the two options I seriously looked at while planning, and the difference is useful to understand before booking.
Stockholm C → Malmö C → Copenhagen H
Faster, comfortable, and easy to pair with a Malmö stopover.
SJ is Sweden’s state-owned train company, while Snälltåget is a private operator.
The biggest thing to know is that “Stockholm to Copenhagen by train” does not always mean the same arrival station in Copenhagen. Copenhagen Central is usually written as København H. Copenhagen Syd is a different station south of the city center, though it does have onward transit connections.
You may also see references online to direct SJ trains between Stockholm and Copenhagen. I would treat that as date-specific rather than something to assume. Search your exact date on SJ and pay attention to whether the route is truly direct, whether it changes in Malmö, and whether it arrives at København H if that matters to you.
How Our Stockholm to Copenhagen Train Day Worked
1. Stockholm to Malmö by SJ
We booked directly with SJ and chose an early train because we wanted to arrive in Malmö around lunchtime (and also because that train was the cheapest). Our train left around 7:30 AM and arrived around noon, so the ride took about 4.5 hours.
Stockholm Central was very low-stress. There was no security screening like you sometimes have with high-speed trains in Spain — you pretty much get to the station, go directly to the platform, and board when the train gets there.
We got to the boarding platform quite early since we built in a time buffer that we didn’t need at all, but we managed to sit down on a bench while we waited. And when the train came, because Stockholm was the starting station, boarding felt calm and organized.
The train itself was really comfortable and easy to settle into for a longer ride. SJ high-speed trains generally have Wi-Fi, power outlets, and a bistro, but I still wouldn’t depend on train Wi-Fi for anything important. Download your tickets, maps, podcasts, and anything you need before you board.
The route was pleasant — you see countryside, trees, and small towns. There isn’t one side that has especially beautiful scenery, so I wouldn’t worry about missing out due to the side you reserve your seat for. I’d care more about getting a window seat, avoiding the bathroom doors, and choosing whatever quiet car or class option makes sense for your budget.
View of the Swedish countryside from our seat on SJ.
2. A Short Malmö Stopover
Stopping in Malmö was the best part of choosing this route.
Malmö Central is close to the historic center, so you do not need to commit to a huge detour. We walked from the station through Stortorget, Södergatan, and Lilla Torg, then had lunch at Malmö Saluhall before heading back to the station.
It was rainy when we visited, but the city had a great vibe in the rain, and the route still worked well because the walking distances were short and the food hall was an indoor break.
If you have a couple of hours and want to see Malmö a little, I’d genuinely recommend doing this. It makes the travel day more fun without adding much logistical stress.
For the exact route, see my Malmö stopover post:
Stortorget in Malmö.
3. Malmö to Copenhagen by Øresundståg
The Øresundståg train is more like a regional or commuter train, so it feels totally different from the long-distance Stockholm to Malmö train. I’ll get into ticket details below, but the short version is that you can just buy tickets before boarding, and there are no reserved seats. The ride takes around 30 minutes.
We took it in the mid-afternoon and found seats without an issue. I’m sure crowds depend on timing, but the ride is short enough that I wouldn’t overthink it. The train itself is about what you’d expect from a regional commuter train, with narrower seats, less space, and a more utilitarian feel than the SJ train.
You do cross the Øresund from Sweden into Denmark, which was very cool to see out the window, with the vast expanse of water on either side.
The Other Option I Considered: Snälltåget
The other route I looked at was Snälltåget.
I was tempted by it at first because it’s one train, and it has supposedly more of an old-school, cozy train feel (it also has a dedicated restaurant car called Krogen, or “the tavern,” which sounded fun).
But for our actual trip, it didn’t make as much sense. It was slower, and since we were staying an easy walk from Copenhagen Central, arriving at Copenhagen Syd would have meant adding another transfer at the end anyway.
That said, Copenhagen Syd could still be perfectly convenient depending on where you’re staying. It has onward transit connections, and the Copenhagen Metro ticket page is useful if you need to figure out Metro/public transit tickets after arriving.
What to Book in Advance
For this route, the main thing to book ahead is the Stockholm to Malmö SJ train. That’s the long-distance leg, so the specific departure, seat, and price matter most.
Train availability can depend on timetable releases and track-work planning, so I wouldn’t rely too much on generic “X trains per day” summaries. Search your exact date on SJ and book once you see a departure that works for your schedule and budget.
For the Malmö to Copenhagen Øresundståg, I would not worry about booking far in advance. We just bought our tickets through the Øresundståg website before boarding, which gave us the flexibility to decide how long we wanted to spend in Malmö. You can also buy tickets through the Skånetrafiken app or at ticket machines at the station. Øresundståg is free seating within the class your ticket is valid for.
If you decide to take Snälltåget instead, I’d book that ahead too, since it’s also a long-distance train and you’re choosing a specific departure.
Useful booking links:
SJ for Stockholm to Malmö or any direct SJ options that appear for your date
Skånetrafiken for Malmö to Copenhagen tickets
Øresundståg for regional train ticket information
Snälltåget if you want to compare the direct route to Copenhagen Syd
Copenhagen Metro tickets if you arrive at Copenhagen Syd and need onward transit
Continue Planning Your Trip
If you’re planning the same Stockholm to Copenhagen route, you may also like:
Stockholm 3-Day Itinerary — what we did before taking the train south.
2 Hours in Malmö: Quick Walking Route + Food Stop — the easy stopover route we did between trains.
Copenhagen 2-Day Itinerary — where we continued after arriving in Denmark.
My One-Bag Gear List — what I pack to make multi-city train trips easier.
Thanks for reading! Feel free to leave a comment below or send me a message with any questions. I’m always happy to help when I can. And if you take this route, I’d love to hear how it goes.
